Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.): Focus on Nutraceutical Aspects

Medicinal plants have been globally exploiting as an alternative to chemical drugs in the treatment of several diseases due to low unwanted side effects, environmentally friendly nature, and low production costs. Therefore, it is important to analyze the therapeutic properties of various medicinal plants to understand their potential bioactivity. Uncaria tomentosa is one of these medicinal plants with many health-promoting effects. Although the geographical resources of cat's claw go back to the remote tropics of the Amazon, industrialized countries use the plant extensively in trade. Various parts of the plants such as flowers, leaves, Stem, hooks, and seeds are mainly used medicinally to treat inflammation, asthma, allergies, skin impurities, microbial infections, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis, heart disease, rheumatism, and fever. The endpoint of this review article is to prospectively scrutinize in vitro and in vivo the therapeutic potential of this plant, especially in terms of its nutritional applications and health beneficial effects.